US8251151B2 - Apparatus and methods for tubular makeup interlock - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus and methods may be used to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string into a wellbore during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. Additionally, the apparatus and methods may be used for running in casing, wellbore components, or a drill string.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/724,161, filed Mar. 15, 2010 now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/872,307, filed Oct. 15, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,896,084, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/393,311, filed Mar. 30, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,281,587, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/625,840, filed Jul. 23, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,598, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/860,127, filed May 17, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,596, which applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and methods for facilitating the connection of tubulars. More particularly, the invention relates to an interlock system for a top drive and a spider for use in assembling or disassembling tubulars.

2. Background of the Related Art

In the construction and completion of oil or gas wells, a drilling rig is constructed on the earth's surface to facilitate the insertion and removal of tubular strings into a wellbore. The drilling rig includes a platform and power tools such as an elevator and a spider to engage, assemble, and lower the tubulars into the wellbore. The elevator is suspended above the platform by a draw works that can raise or lower the elevator in relation to the floor of the rig. The spider is mounted in the platform floor. The elevator and spider both have slips that are capable of engaging and releasing a tubular, and are designed to work in tandem. Generally, the spider holds a tubular or tubular string that extends into the wellbore from the platform. The elevator engages a new tubular and aligns it over the tubular being held by the spider. A power tong and a spinner are then used to thread the upper and lower tubulars together. Once the tubulars are joined, the spider disengages the tubular string and the elevator lowers the tubular string through the spider until the elevator and spider are at a predetermined distance from each other. The spider then re-engages the tubular string and the elevator disengages the string and repeats the process. This sequence applies to assembling tubulars for the purpose of drilling a wellbore, running casing to line the wellbore, or running wellbore components into the well. The sequence can be reversed to disassemble the tubular string.

During the drilling of a wellbore, a drill string is made up and is then necessarily rotated in order to drill. Historically, a drilling platform includes a rotary table and a gear to turn the table. In operation, the drill string is lowered by an elevator into the rotary table and held in place by a spider. A Kelly is then threaded to the string and the rotary table is rotated, causing the Kelly and the drill string to rotate. After thirty feet or so of drilling, the Kelly and a section of the string are lifted out of the wellbore, and additional drill string is added.

The process of drilling with a Kelly is expensive due to the amount of time required to remove the Kelly, add drill string, reengage the Kelly, and rotate the drill string. In order to address these problems, top drives were developed.

For example, International Application Number PCT/GB99/02203, published on Feb. 3, 2000 discloses apparatus and methods for connecting tubulars using a top drive. In another example,FIG. 1 shows adrilling rig100 configured to connect and run casings into a newly formedwellbore180 to line the walls thereof. As shown, therig100 includes atop drive200, anelevator120, and aspider400. Therig100 is built at thesurface170 of the well. Therig100 includes atraveling block110 that is suspended bywires150 fromdraw works105 and holds thetop drive200. Thetop drive200 has agripping means301 for engaging the inner wall of thecasing15 and amotor240 to rotate thecasing15. Themotor240 may rotate and thread thecasing15 into thecasing string16 held by thespider400. The gripping means301 facilitate the engagement and disengagement of thecasing15 without having to thread and unthread thecasing15 to thetop drive200. Additionally, thetop drive200 is coupled to arailing system140. Therailing system140 prevents thetop drive200 from rotational movement during rotation of thecasing string16, but allows for vertical movement of thetop drive200 under thetraveling block110.

InFIG. 1, thetop drive200 is shown engaged tocasing15. Thecasing15 is placed in position below thetop drive200 by theelevator120 in order for thetop drive200 to engage thecasing15. Additionally, thespider400, disposed on theplatform160, is shown engaged around acasing string16 that extends intowellbore180. Once thecasing15 is positioned above thecasing string16, thetop drive200 can lower and thread thecasing15 into thecasing string16, thereby extending the length of thecasing string16. Thereafter, theextended casing string16 may be lowered into thewellbore180.

FIG. 2 illustrates thetop drive200 engaged to thecasing string16 after thecasing string16 has been lowered through aspider400. Thespider400 is shown disposed on theplatform160. Thespider400 comprises aslip assembly440 including a set ofslips410 andpiston420. Theslips410 are wedge-shaped and constructed and arranged to slidably move along a sloped inner wall of theslip assembly440. Theslips410 are raised or lowered by thepiston420. When theslips410 are in the lowered position, they close around the outer surface of thecasing string16. The weight of thecasing string16 and the resulting friction between thecasing string16 and theslips410 force the slips downward and inward, thereby tightening the grip on thecasing string16. When theslips410 are in the raised position as shown, theslips410 are opened and thecasing string16 is free to move axially in relation to theslips410.

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view of atop drive200 and acasing15. Thetop drive200 includes a gripping means301 having acylindrical body300, awedge lock assembly350, andslips340 with teeth (not shown). Thewedge lock assembly350 and theslips340 are disposed around the outer surface of thecylindrical body300. Theslips340 are constructed and arranged to mechanically grip the inside of thecasing15. Theslips340 are threaded topiston370 located in ahydraulic cylinder310. Thepiston370 is actuated by pressurized hydraulic fluid injected throughfluid ports320,330. Additionally, springs360 are located in thehydraulic cylinder310 and are shown in a compressed state. When thepiston370 is actuated, thesprings360 decompress and assist thepiston370 in moving theslips340 relative to thecylindrical body300. Thewedge lock assembly350 is connected to thecylindrical body300 and constructed and arranged to force theslips340 against the inner wall of thecasing15.

In operation, theslips340, and thewedge lock assembly350 oftop drive200 are lowered inside thecasing15. Once theslips340 are in the desired position within thecasing15, pressurized fluid is injected into thepiston370 throughfluid port320. The fluid actuates thepiston370, which forces theslips340 towards thewedge lock assembly350. Thewedge lock assembly350 functions to bias theslips340 outwardly as theslips340 are slidably forced along the outer surface of theassembly350, thereby forcing theslips340 to engage the inner wall of thecasing15.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of atop drive200 engaged to thecasing15. Particularly, the figure shows theslips340 engaged with the inner wall of thecasing15 and aspring360 in the decompressed state. In the event of a hydraulic fluid failure, thesprings360 can bias thepiston370 to keep theslips340 in the engaged position, thereby providing an additional safety feature to prevent inadvertent release of thecasing string16. Once theslips340 are engaged with thecasing15, thetop drive200 can be raised along with thecylindrical body300. By raising thebody300, thewedge lock assembly350 will further bias theslips340 outward. With thecasing15 retained by thetop drive200, thetop drive200 may relocate thecasing15 to align and thread thecasing15 withcasing string16.

In another embodiment (not shown), a top drive includes a gripping means for engaging a casing on the outer surface. For example, the slips of the gripping means can be arranged to grip on the outer surface of the casing, preferably gripping under the collar of the casing. In operation, the top drive is positioned over the desired casing. The slips are then lowered by the top drive to engage the collar of the casing. Once the slips are positioned beneath the collar, the piston is actuated to cause the slips to grip the outer surface of the casing.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a typical operation of running casing using atop drive200 and aspider400. The flow chart relates to the operation of an apparatus generally illustrated inFIG. 1. At afirst step500, acasing string16 is retained in aclosed spider400 and is thereby prevented from moving in an axial direction. Atstep510,top drive200 is moved to engage acasing15 with the aid of anelevator120. Engagement of thecasing15 by thetop drive200 includes grasping thecasing15 and engaging the inner surface thereof. Atstep520, thetop drive200 moves thecasing15 into position above thecasing string16 for connection therewith. Atstep530, thetop drive200 threads thecasing15 tocasing string16. Atstep540, thespider400 is opened and disengages thecasing string16. Atstep550, thetop drive200 lowers theextended casing string16 through the openedspider400. Atstep560, thespider400 is closed around thecasing string16. Atstep570, thetop drive200 disengages thecasing string16 and can proceed to add anothercasing15 to thecasing string16 as instep510. The above-described steps may be utilized to run drill string in a drilling operation, to run casing to reinforce the wellbore, or to assemble run-in strings to place wellbore components in the wellbore. The steps may also be reversed in order to disassemble a tubular string.

Although the top drive is a good alternative to the Kelly and rotary table, the possibility of inadvertently dropping a casing string into the wellbore exists. As noted above, a top drive and spider must work in tandem, that is, at least one of them must engage the casing string at any given time during casing assembly. Typically, an operator located on the platform controls the top drive and the spider with manually operated levers that control fluid power to the slips that cause the top drive and spider to retain a casing string. At any given time, an operator can inadvertently drop the casing string by moving the wrong lever. Conventional interlocking systems have been developed and used with elevator/spider systems to address this problem, but there remains a need for a workable interlock system usable with a top drive/spider system such as the one described herein.

There is a need therefore, for an interlock system for use with a top drive and spider to prevent inadvertent release of a tubular string. There is a further need for an interlock system to prevent the inadvertent dropping of a tubular or tubular string into a wellbore. There is also a need for an interlock system that prevents a spider or a top drive from disengaging a tubular string until the other component has engaged the tubular.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides an apparatus and methods to prevent inadvertent release of a tubular or tubular string. In one aspect, the apparatus and methods disclosed herein ensure that either the top drive or the spider is engaged to the tubular before the other component is disengaged from the tubular. The interlock system is utilized with a spider and a top drive during assembly of a tubular string.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for use with tubulars. The apparatus includes a first device for gripping and joining the tubulars, a second device for gripping the tubulars, and an interlock system to ensure that the tubulars are gripped by at least one of the first or second device.

In another aspect still, the present invention provides a method for assembling and dissembling tubulars. The method includes joining a first tubular engaged by a first apparatus to a second tubular engaged by a second apparatus thereby forming a tubular string. An interlock system is provided to ensure that at least one of the first apparatus or the second apparatus is engaging the tubular string. After the tubulars are joined, the second apparatus is opened to disengage the string, thereby allowing the tubular string to be lowered through the second apparatus. After the string is repositioned, the second apparatus is actuated to re-engage the tubular string. After the second apparatus secures the tubular string, the first apparatus is disengaged from the string.

In another aspect still, the first apparatus includes a gripping member for engaging the tubular. In one aspect, the gripping member is movably coupled to the first apparatus. Particularly, the gripping member may pivot relative to the first apparatus to facilitate engagement with the tubular. In one embodiment, a swivel is used to couple the gripping member to the first apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a rig having a top drive and an elevator configured to connect tubulars.

FIG. 2 illustrates the top drive engaged to a tubular that has been lowered through a spider.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a gripping member for use with a top drive for handling tubulars in the un-engaged position.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the gripping member ofFIG. 3 in the engaged position.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for connecting tubulars using a top drive and a spider.

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart for connecting tubulars using an interlock system for a spider and a top drive according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an apparatus for connecting tubulars according to aspects of the present invention. The top drive is shown before it has engaged the tubular.

FIG. 8 illustrates the top drive ofFIG. 7 after it has engaged the tubular.

FIG. 9 illustrates the top drive ofFIG. 7 after it has lowered the tubular toward the rig floor.

FIG. 10 illustrates the mechanics of the interlock system in use with a spider, a top drive and a controller according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a control plate for a spider lever and a top drive lever according to aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is an interlock system for use with a top drive and a spider during assembly of a string of tubulars. The invention may be utilized to assemble tubulars for different purposes including drill strings, strings of liner and casing and run-in strings for wellbore components.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the use of aninterlock system700 of the present invention with aspider400 and atop drive200, andFIG. 10 illustrates the mechanics of theinterlock system700 in use with aspider400, atop drive200, and acontroller900. Atstep500, acasing string210 is retained in aclosed spider400 and prevented from moving in an axial direction, as illustrated inFIG. 8. In one embodiment, thespider400 is a flush mounted spider that is disposed in theplatform160. Referring toFIG. 10, thespider400 includes aspider piston sensor990 located at aspider piston420 to sense when thespider400 is open or closed around thecasing string210. Thesensor data502 is relayed to acontroller900.

Acontroller900 includes a programmable central processing unit that is operable with a memory, a mass storage device, an input control unit, and a display unit. Additionally, thecontroller900 includes well-known support circuits such as power supplies, clocks, cache, input/output circuits and the like. Thecontroller900 is capable of receiving data from sensors and other devices and capable of controlling devices connected to it.

One of the functions of thecontroller900 is to prevent opening of thespider400. Preferably, thespider400 is locked in the closed position by asolenoid valve980 that is placed in the control line between the manually operatedspider control lever630 and the source of fluid power operating thespider400. Specifically, thespider solenoid valve980 controls the flow of fluid to thespider piston420. Thesolenoid valve980 is operated by thecontroller900, and thecontroller900 is programmed to keep thevalve980 closed until certain conditions are met. Whilevalve980 is electrically powered in the embodiment described herein, thevalve980 could be fluidly or pneumatically powered so long as it is controllable by thecontroller900. Typically, thevalve980 is closed and thespider400 is locked until a tubular130 is successfully joined to thestring210 and held by thetop drive200.

Atstep510, thetop drive200 is moved to engage acasing130. Referring back toFIG. 7, theelevator120 is coupled to thetop drive200 using a piston andcylinder assembly122 and a pair ofbails124. The piston andcylinder assembly122 may serve to axially translate theelevator120 relative to the gripping means301 of thetop drive200. As shown, the gripping means301, also known as a gripping head, is an internal gripping apparatus, wherein it may be inserted into thecasing130 to engage an interior surface thereof. In one embodiment, apivotable mechanism125 is employed to facilitate the engagement of the gripping means301 to thecasing130. An example of a suitablepivotable mechanism125 includes aswivel125 having afirst portion125A pivotable relative to asecond portion125B. Theswivel125 couples the gripping means301 to thetop drive200 and allows the gripping means301 to move or pivot relative thereto. Particularly, first andsecond portions125A,125B include connections means for connecting to thetop drive200 and the gripping means301, respectively. Preferably, thepivotable mechanism125 includes a bore therethrough for fluid communication between thetop drive200 and thegripping means301.

To engage thecasing130, the piston andcylinder assembly122 is actuated to position theelevator120 proximate thecasing130. Theelevator120 is then disposed around thecasing130. Themovable bails124 allow thecasing130 to tilt toward the well center. Thereafter, the gripping means301 may be pivoted into alignment with thecasing130 for insertion thereof. Particularly, theswivel125 is actuated to pivot the gripping means301 as illustrated inFIG. 7. Once aligned, the gripping means301 is inserted into thecasing130, and theslips340 are actuated to engage the interior of thecasing130.

In one aspect, a top drive sensor995 (FIG. 10) is placed near atop drive piston370 to determine whether the gripping means301 is engaged with thecasing130. Thesensor data512 is relayed to thecontroller900 for processing.

Atstep520, thetop drive200 moves thecasing130 into position above thecasing string210. Particularly, theswivel125 is actuated to pivot the gripping means301 toward the well center. In turn, thecasing130 is also positioned proximate the well center, and preferably, into alignment with thecasing string210 in thespider400. Additionally, the travelingblock110 is actuated to lift thetop drive200 and the attachedcasing130. In this manner, thecasing130 is aligned with thecasing string210 in thespider400, as illustrated inFIG. 8.

Atstep530, thetop drive200 rotationally engages thecasing130 to thecasing string210, thereby creating a threaded joint therebetween. In one embodiment, thetop drive200 may include acounter250. Thecounter250 is constructed and arranged to measure the rotation of thecasing130 during the make up process. Thetop drive200 may also be equipped with atorque sub260 to measure the amount of torque placed on the threaded connection.Torque data532 from thetorque sub260 androtation data534 from thecounter250 are sent to thecontroller900 for processing. Thecontroller900 is preprogrammed with acceptable values for rotation and torque for a particular connection. Thecontroller900 compares therotation data534 and thetorque data532 from the actual connections and determines if they are within the accepted values. If not, then thespider400 remains locked and closed, and thecasing130 can be re-threaded or some other remedial action can take place by sending a signal to an operator. If the values are acceptable, thecontroller900 locks thetop drive200 in the engaged position via a top drive solenoid valve970 (FIG. 10) that prevents manual control of thetop drive200.

Atstep540, thecontroller900 unlocks thespider400 via thespider solenoid valve980, and allows fluid to power thepiston420 to open thespider400 and disengage it from thecasing string210. Atstep550, thetop drive200 lowers thecasing string210, includingcasing130, through the openedspider400.FIG. 9 shows thecasing130 lowered by thetop drive200.

Atstep560, thespider400 is closed around thecasing string210. Atstep562, the spider sensor990 (FIG. 10) signals to thecontroller900 that thespider400 is closed. If a signal is received confirming that thespider400 is closed, thecontroller900 locks thespider400 in the closed position, and unlocks thetop drive200. If no signal is received, thetop drive200 stays locked and engaged tocasing string210. Atstep570, after a signal is received, thetop drive200 disengages thecasing string210 and may proceed to add anothercasing130. In this manner, at least thetop drive200 or thespider400 is engaging thecasing string210 at all times.

Alternatively, or in addition to the foregoing, acompensator270 may be utilized to gather additional information about the joint formed between the tubular and the tubular string. In one aspect, the compensator270 couples thetop drive200 to the travelingblock110. Thecompensator270 may function similar to a spring to compensate for vertical movement of thetop drive200 during threading of thecasing130 to thecasing string210. Thecompensator270, in addition to allowing incremental movement of thetop drive200 during threading together of the tubulars, may be used to ensure that a threaded joint has been made and that the tubulars are mechanically connected together. For example, after a joint has been made between the tubular and the tubular string, the top drive may be raised or pulled up. If a joint has been formed between the tubular and the string, the compensator will “stoke out” completely, due the weight of the tubular string therebelow. If however, a joint has not been formed between the tubular and the string due to some malfunction of the top drive or misalignment between a tubular and a tubular string therebelow, the compensator will stroke out only a partial amount due to the relatively little weight applied thereto by the single tubular or tubular stack. A stretch sensor located adjacent the compensator, can sense the stretching of thecompensator270 and can relay the data to acontroller900. Once thecontroller900 processes the data and confirms that the top drive is engaged to a complete tubular string, thetop drive200 is locked in the engaged position, and thenext step540 can proceed. If no signal is received, then thespider400 remains locked and a signal maybe transmitted by the controller to an operator. During this “stretching” step, thespider400 is not required to be unlocked and opened. Thespider400 and theslips410 are constructed and arranged to prevent downward movement of the string but allow thecasing string210 to be lifted up and moved axially in a vertical direction even though the spider is closed. When closed, thespider400 will not allow thecasing string210 to fall through itsslips410 due to friction and the shaped of the teeth on the spider slips.

Theinterlock system700 is illustrated inFIG. 10 with thespider400, thetop drive200, and thecontroller900 including various control, signal, hydraulic, and sensor lines. Thetop drive200 is shown engaged to acasing string210 and is coupled to arailing system140. Therailing system140 includeswheels142 allowing thetop drive200 to move axially. Thespider400 is shown disposed in theplatform160 and in the closed position around thecasing string210. Thespider400 and thetop drive200 may be pneumatically actuated, however thespider400 andtop drive200 discussed herein are hydraulically activated. Hydraulic fluid is supplied to aspider piston420 via aspider control valve632. Thespider control valve632 is a three-way valve and is operated by aspider lever630.

Also shown inFIG. 10 is asensor assembly690 with apiston692 coupled to spider slips410 to detect when thespider400 is open or closed. Thesensor assembly690 is in communication with a lockingassembly660, which along with acontrol plate650 prevents the movement of thespider400 and top drive lever. The lockingassembly660 includes apiston662 having arod664 at a first end. The rod564 when extended, blocks the movement of thecontrol plate550 when the plate is in a first position. When thespider400 is in the open position, thesensor assembly690 communicates to the lockingassembly660 to move therod664 to block the control plate's650 movement. When thespider400 is in the closed position as shown, therod664 is retracted allowing thecontrol plate650 to move freely from the first to a second position. Additionally, thesensor assembly660 can also be used with thetop drive200 as well in the same fashion. Similarly, hydraulic fluid is supplied to atop drive piston370 via a topdrive control valve642 and hydraulic lines. The topdrive control valve642 is also a three-way valve and is operated by atop drive lever640. Apump610 is used to circulate fluid to therespective pistons370,420. Areservoir620 is used to re-circulate hydraulic fluid and receive excess fluid. Excess gas in thereservoir620 is vented622.

Further shown inFIG. 10,controller900 collects data from atop drive sensor995 regarding the engagement of the top drive to thecasing string210. Data regarding the position of thespider400 is also provided to thecontroller900 from aspider sensor990. Thecontroller900 controls fluid power to thetop drive200 andspider400 viasolenoid valves970,980, respectively.

InFIG. 10, thetop drive200 is engaged tocasing string210 while thespider400 is in the closed position around thesame casing string210. At this point, steps500,510,520, and530 ofFIG. 6 have occurred. Additionally, thecontroller900 has determined through the data received fromcounter250 andtorque sub260 that an acceptable threaded joint has been made betweencasing130 andcasing string210. In the alternative or in addition to the foregoing, acompensator270 can also provide data to thecontroller900 that a threaded joint has been made and that thecasing130 and thecasing string210 are mechanically connected together via a stretch sensor (not shown). Thecontroller900 then sends a signal to asolenoid valve970 to lock and keep atop drive piston370 in the engaged position within thecasing string210. Moving to step540 (FIG. 6), thecontroller900 can unlock the previously lockedspider400, by sending a signal to asolenoid valve980. Thespider400 must be unlocked and opened in order for thetop drive200 to lower thecasing string210 through thespider400 and into a wellbore. An operator (not shown) can actuate aspider lever630 that controls aspider valve632, to allow thespider400 to open and disengage thecasing string210. When thespider lever630 is actuated, thespider valve632 allows fluid to be flow tospider piston420 causing spider slips410 to open. With thespider400 opened, asensor assembly690 in communication with a lockingassembly660 will cause arod664 to block the movement of acontrol plate650. Because theplate650 will be blocked in the rightmost position, thetop drive lever640 is held in the locked position and will be unable to move to the open position.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, theinterlock system700 when used with thetop drive200 and thespider400 prevents the operator from inadvertently dropping thecasing string210 into the wellbore. As disclosed herein, thecasing string210 at all times is either engaged by thetop drive200 or thespider400. Additionally, thecontroller900 may prevent operation of thetop drive200 under certain situations, even if the topdrive control lever640 is actuated.

In another aspect, theinterlock system700 may include acontrol plate650 to control the physical movement oflevers630,640 between the open and closed positions, thereby preventing the operator from inadvertently actuating the wrong lever.FIG. 11 illustrates acontrol plate650 for aspider lever630 and atop drive lever640 that can be used with theinterlock system700 of the present invention. Thecontrol plate650 is generally rectangular in shape and is provided with a series ofslots656 to control the movement of thespider lever630, and thetop drive lever640. Typically, thecontrol plate650 is slideably mounted within abox652. Theslots656 define the various positions in which thelevers630,640 may be moved at various stages of the tubular assembly or disassembly. Thelevers630,640 can be moved in three positions: (1) a neutral position located in the center; (2) a closed position located at the top and causes the slips to close; and (3) an open position located at the bottom, which causes the slips to open. Thecontrol plate650 can be moved from a first rightmost position to a second leftmost position with aknob654. However, bothlevers630,640 must be in the closed position before the control plate is moved from one position to another. Thecontrol plate650 is shown in the first rightmost position with arod664 extending from a lockingassembly660 to block the movement of the control plate. In operation, in the first rightmost position of thecontrol plate650, thespider lever630 can be moved between the open and close positions, while thetop drive lever640 is kept in the closed position. In the second leftmost position, thetop drive lever640 can be moved between the open and close positions, while thespider lever630 is kept in the closed position. Asafety lock658 is provided to allow the top drive orspider levers630,640 to open and override thecontrol plate650 when needed.

Theinterlock system700 may be any interlock system that allows a set of slips to disengage only when another set of slips is engaged to the tubular. Theinterlock system700 may be mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically actuated systems. Thespider400 may be any spider that functions to hold a tubular or a tubular string at the surface of the wellbore. Atop drive200 may be any system that includes a gripping means for retaining a tubular by the inner or outer surface and can rotate the retained tubular. The gripping means may include an internal gripping apparatus such as a spear, an external gripping apparatus such as a torque head, or any other gripping apparatus for gripping a tubular as known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the external gripping apparatus may include a sensor for detecting information from its slips to ensure proper engagement of the casing. Thetop drive200 can also be hydraulically or pneumatically activated.

While the foregoing is directed to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims (28)

1. An electronic control system for handling a tubular, comprising:

a first tubular handling tool having radially movable gripping elements for gripping the tubular;

a second tubular handling tool;

a sensor coupled to the first tubular handling tool; and

a controller in communication with the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to control actuation of the second tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the sensor that corresponds to operational data of the first tubular handling tool.

2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second tubular handling tools include at least one of an elevator system, a top drive system, a spider system, and a compensator system.

3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the operational data includes at least one torque data, rotation data, stretch data, pressure data, and position data.

4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the controller includes a programmable central processing unit.

5. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising an electronically controlled valve that is controlled by the controller to prevent or allow pressurized fluid to be supplied to or returned from the second tubular handling tool.

6. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a second sensor coupled to the second tubular handling tool and in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control actuation of the first tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the second sensor that corresponds to operational data of the second tubular handling tool.

7. The system ofclaim 6, further comprising an electronically controlled valve that is controlled by the controller to prevent or allow pressurized fluid to be supplied to or returned from the first tubular handling tool.

8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to compare the operational data to pre-programmed values to determine whether to open or close fluid communication to the second tubular handling tool.

9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is operable to communicate a signal to an operator.

10. An electronic control system for handling a tubular, comprising:

a first tubular handling tool having radially movable gripping elements for gripping the tubular;

a second tubular handling tool; and

an electronic interlock system operable to control actuation of the first and second tubular handling tools.

11. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the electronic interlock system includes a first sensor coupled to the first tubular handling tool, a second sensor coupled to the second tubular handling tool, and a controller in communication with the first and second sensors.

12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the sensors are configured to send an electronic signal to the controller that corresponds to operational data of the first and second tubular handling tools.

13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the controller is configured to actuate an electronically controlled valve to prevent or allow pressurized fluid to be supplied to or returned from one of the first and second tubular handling tools in response to the operational data of one of the first and second tubular handling tools.

14. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the operational data includes at least one torque data, rotation data, stretch data, pressure data, and position data.

15. The system ofclaim 14, wherein the first tubular handling tool is a top drive system and the second tubular handling tool is a spider system.

16. A method of controlling a tubular handling system, comprising;

measuring an operational position of a first tubular handling tool;

communicating the operational position to a controller in the form of an electronic signal; and

controlling the actuation of a second tubular handling tool using the controller in response to the operational position of the first tubular handling tool.

17. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising communicating a signal to an electronically controlled valve via the controller to actuate the valve to supply pressurized fluid to or return pressurized fluid from the second tubular handling tool.

18. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising controlling actuation of an electronically controlled valve via the controller to control fluid communication to the second tubular handling tool.

19. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the operational position of the first tubular handling tool includes when the first tubular handling tool is engaged or disengaged with a tubular.

20. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising forming a tubular connection using the first and second tubular handling tools while monitoring the operational position of the first tubular handling tool using a sensor that is in communication with the controller.

21. A method of handling a tubular string using a top drive, comprising:

retaining the tubular string using a spider;

retaining the tubular string using a tubular gripping apparatus connected to the top drive;

determining a string load on the tubular gripping apparatus; and

allowing the tubular gripping apparatus to open or close in response to the determined string load.

22. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the tubular gripping apparatus includes a gripping element movable between a tubular retaining position and a tubular releasing position.

23. The method ofclaim 22, further comprising ensuring the gripping element is in the tubular retaining position prior to opening the spider.

24. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the determining a string load comprises measuring the string load using a load measuring device.

25. The method ofclaim 21, further comprising determining a position of an actuator supporting the tubular gripping apparatus.

26. The method ofclaim 25, wherein the actuator is extended when the tubular gripping apparatus is supporting the string load.

27. An electronic control system, comprising:

a first tubular handling tool;

a second tubular handling tool;

a sensor coupled to the first tubular handling tool; and

a controller in communication with the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to control actuation of the second tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the sensor that corresponds to operational data of the first tubular handling tool, and wherein the controller is programmed to compare the operational data to pre-programmed values to determine whether to open or close fluid communication to the second tubular handling tool.

28. The system ofclaim 27, wherein at least one of the first tubular handling tool and the second tubular handling tool includes radially movable gripping elements for gripping a tubular.

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